Iowa is renowned for having some of the most lenient gambling laws in the United States. As a result, the popularity of online gambling in Iowa is at an all-time high.
Iowa’s online casino sites are all offshore casinos, making them available throughout the state for gamblers looking for slots, blackjack, and other table games.
Keep reading to learn everything there is to know about online casinos in Iowa, from the state’s laws and legislation to our top-ranked sites and a whole lot more.
Iowa’s gambling laws permit land-based gambling in commercial and tribal casinos, while IA residents can bet on sports both in-person and online. On top of that, Iowa has a longstanding state-run lottery.
Despite the state’s relatively easy-going gambling laws, Iowa does not have any regulated online casinos. Still, players in the Hawkeye State can enjoy their favorite casino games via offshore sites.
The table below breaks down Iowa’s gambling laws in more detail.
Type of Gambling | Status | Explanation |
---|---|---|
Online Casinos | Offshore Only | Iowa does not have any regulated online casinos, but many offshore sites accept IA players. |
Online Poker | Offshore Only | Although Iowa does not have any regulated online casinos, many offshore sites accept players from IA. |
Land-Based Casinos | Available | Iowa’s first land-based casino – the Diamond Lady Casino – opened in 1991. |
State Lottery | Available | Iowa’s state lottery has been running since 1985. |
Online Sports Betting | Available | Iowans can enjoy online sports betting via American-based and offshore sites. |
Land-Based Sportsbooks | Available | In 2019, Iowa was among the first dozen US states to legalize land-based sportsbooks. |
Fantasy Sports | Available | Daily fantasy sports (DFS) have also been legal in Iowa since 2019. |
Best Online Casinos Available in IowaWhat is the Gambling Age in Iowa?
The gambling age in Iowa varies depending on the activity. For lottery and pari-mutuel betting, the legal gambling age is 18. However, you need to be 21 to play casino games in IA.
Offshore casino sites require that players be 18 years of age to gamble online.
If you’re a gambling fanatic located in the Hawkeye State, you will be pleased to learn that our team of experts has evaluated heaps of options to find the best Iowa online casino sites. We classify the sites below as the top online casinos for those gambling in Iowa.
If you’re an Iowan looking for the best overall online casino, look no further than Wild Casino. We’ve analyzed dozens of gambling sites over the years, and we’re confident that Wild Casino is the most comprehensive option for IA players.
Boasting more than 500 titles, Wild’s game library is among the best in the business. Thanks to elite-level software developers like Betsoft, Rival Gaming, and Nucleus Gaming, you can enjoy blackjack, video poker, live dealer games, slots, and many more casino games.
Wild Casino also offers a generous welcome bonus, enabling you to collect up to $5,000 on your first five deposits. In fact, there are four different welcome bonuses to take advantage of, including a couple of offers for crypto players.
Not only does Wild Casino accept multiple cryptocurrencies, but it also allows debit/credit cards, money orders, bank transfers, and Person2Person transactions. Ultimately, Wild’s versatility makes it the best overall online casino for Iowans.
DuckyLuck is a great online casino for many reasons, but it’s especially great for slots players. IA residents have enjoyed playing slot games at the state’s land-based casinos for more than three decades, and now they can now spin their favorite slots online.
Courtesy of software providers such as Dragon Gaming, Arrow’s Edge, and Rival Gaming, DuckyLuck is home to more than 440 slot games. On top of that, you can play all the classic table games, video poker, and live dealer options.
Furthermore, the casino welcome bonus (30x wagering requirement) and crypto bonus (40x wagering requirement) both come with 150 free spins, giving you the chance to try different slots.
High Roller Casino may have only launched in 2023, but it is already among the best online casinos Iowa has access to. In addition to a customizable welcome bonus and a vast range of crypto banking options, High Roller Casino boasts tons of top live dealer games.
HRC’s game library contains over 750 titles, 52 of which are live dealer games. Powered by Fresh Deck Studios, Visionary iGaming, and BetGamesTV, the live dealer lobby features multiple blackjack, roulette and baccarat variants, with limits ranging from $0.50 to $20,000.
Better still, HRC has a Wild Diamond 7s Progressive Jackpot bonus. All you need to do is play the $1 Wild Diamond 7s side bet on ViG blackjack for a chance at the top prize.
Our extensive research found that Café Casino is one of the leading Iowa online gambling sites, especially when it comes to progressive jackpot games.
Café Casino is part of a select group of online casinos that offers Hot Drops Jackpots, which are some of the best progressive jackpot slots in the industry. Café Casino’s Hot Drops Jackpot games include Reels of Fortune, 777 Deluxe, A Night with Cleo, and Golden Buffalo.
These games serve up an Hourly Jackpot (once every 60 minutes), Daily Jackpot (once every 24 hours), and Super Jackpot (once every 4.5 days). Players can watch the countdown timers and win hundreds of thousands of dollars if they match the correct symbols.
BetUS was established back in 1994, three years after Iowa opened its first land-based casino. Iowans have enjoyed gambling at BetUS for the best part of three decades, thanks largely to its unrivalled range of blackjack games.
With more than 30 RNG blackjack variations and 15 live dealer options to choose from, BetUS has all the bases covered. IA residents can play variants like double exposure, multi-hand, and double deck, with wagering limits ranging from $0.10 to $10,000.
BetUS also offers a 50% Blackjack Bonus of up to $500 on every deposit. Players are required to complete a 30x rollover on selected blackjack games before they can withdraw their winnings, but that’s not a bad wagering requirement.
According to our comprehensive research, Everygame Casino is the best online casino for mobile gamblers in the Hawkeye State.
Everygame has a mobile-compatible website, meaning Iowans can easily access the site via the internet browser on their chosen portable device. The mobile site has over 300 games on offer, including slots, blackjack, video poker, table games, and even tournaments.
You can also take advantage of a mobile-only bonus, which is renewed every week. If you make a mobile deposit of at least $50 and wager at least $500 on casino games from your portable device, you will be added to a raffle that awards prizes to 20 players.
As the name suggests, Super Slots is an excellent option for slots lovers. However, the highly-ranked Iowa online casino is also an expert in specialty games, particularly when it comes to virtual scratch cards.
Super Slots’ specialty section contains no fewer than 22 scratch off games, including multiple Ice Scratch and Capymania titles. Some games even have a jackpot of $250,000-$300,000, and you can wager less than $1 to win the top prize.
It is worth noting that Super Slots also has a generous welcome bonus, tons of reliable banking options, and first-rate customer support, making it a go-to online casino for those gambling in Iowa.
Las Atlantis is one of the best online casinos Iowa has access to. We could wax lyrical about the site’s extensive game library and secure payment methods, but we want to highlight Las Atlantis’ no-deposit bonus.
At the time of writing, Las Atlantis offers a $15 free chip to new customers before they even make a deposit. All you need to do is create an account and enter the code ‘OCEANHUNT’ when you sign up.
You can use the funds from the no-deposit bonuses to play slot games such as Wolf Moon Pays, Buffalo Ways, Chicken Frenzy, Pinup Beauties, Vampire Mansion, and Respin the Win.
Casino | Welcome Bonus | Rollover | Min Deposit | # of Games | Review |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wild Casino | 100% up to $1,000 | 30x | $20 | 750+ | Read Review |
DuckyLuck | 500% up to $7,500 | 30x | $25 | 500+ | Read Review |
High Roller Casino | 200% up to $4,000 or 400% up to $4,000 or | 35x | $50 or $250 | 750+ | Read Review |
Café Casino | 250% up to $1,000 | 40x | $5 | 150+ | Read Review |
BetUS | 100% up to $2,500 | 30x | $10 | 350+ | Read Review |
Everygame | 200% up to $7,777 Welcome bonus +77 Free Spins | 30x | $20 | 180+ | Read Review |
Super Slots | Up to $6,000 | 45x | $20 | 700+ | Read Review |
Las Atlantis | Up to $2,800, valid five times | 35x | $10 | 170+ | Read Review |
We have a refined process for rating and ranking gambling sites. Consequently, you can rest assured that all of our recommended Iowa online casino sites have come through rigorous testing to make it onto this page.
Our recommendations score top marks in each of the following areas:
While there are no online casinos in Iowa itself, the state’s players can utilize trusted offshore gambling sites. Our recommended sites are based overseas but are geared towards American players, meaning Iowans can easily sign up, play their favorite games, and access payouts.
We’re also big on evaluating the safety of each site, from data storage and TLS encryption protocols to licensing and regulatory procedures. When it comes to sites regulated by international gambling agencies such as the Panama Gaming Control Board and Curaçao eGaming, we will always verify the licenses.
We also make sure that our recommended Iowa online gambling sites have competitive bonuses and promotions. From welcome offers and deposit bonuses to evergreen promotions like free spins, reloads, and loyalty programs, our endorsed sites cover all the bases. Furthermore, we always consider wagering requirements to find the best value bonuses.
We also ensure that each recommended site utilizes titles from the industry’s top software providers, giving IA players high-quality graphics, smooth gameplay, special features, and many other perks.
Online casino gambling isn’t legal in Iowa, even though there are plenty of IA-regulated sports betting sites. Although online casino gambling is technically prohibited in the Hawkeye State, there is no legislation in place to prevent residents from accessing legit offshore sites.
It could even be argued that offshore casinos have a broader selection of games and more generous bonuses on offer. That’s why thousands of players love the best Iowa online casino sites.
Land-Based Gambling Options in IowaGambling in Iowa is big business. There are currently 23 land-based casinos in Iowa, meaning the Hawkeye State has more brick-and-mortar casinos than 27 of the other 49 US states.
The first land-based casino in Iowa – the Diamond Lady Casino – opened its doors back in 1991. Since then, many more gambling venues have opened across the states, including Native American/tribal casinos and riverboat casinos.
Let’s take a closer look at the shape of the land-based gambling industry in Iowa.
Iowa is home to four tribal casinos, meaning almost 20% of the state’s land-based casinos belong to indigenous people. Considering that many US states have no tribal casinos at all, IA residents can count themselves fortunate.
Here is a list of the tribal casinos in Iowa:
If recent land-based gambling trends are anything to go by, we could see more tribal casinos in Iowa before too long.
The Iowa State Lottery has been around since 1985, making it one of the longest-running state lotteries in the country. Players can enjoy all the classic instant games, as well as a range of larger drawings.
Here are the drawing games on offer to IA residents:
The funds generated by the lottery are used to boost the state in multiple ways, including creating new recreation areas, supporting Iowa veterans, and promoting tourism.
Casino | Address | Phone | Gambling Options | Operated By |
---|---|---|---|---|
Horseshoe Council Bluffs | 2701 23rd Ave, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 | 712-323-2500 | 50+ table games (blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat), 1,300+ slot machines, poker | Caesars Entertainment |
Diamond Jo Casino Dubuque | 301 Bell Street, Dubuque, IA 52001 | 563-690-4800 | 750+ slots, progressive jackpots, blackjack, craps, electronic and live roulette, | Boyd Gaming |
Rhythm City Casino Resort | 7077 Elmore Avenue, Davenport, IA 52807 | 563-328-8000 | Slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, poker | Elite Casino Resorts |
Harrah’s Council Bluffs | 1 Harrah’s Blvd, Council Bluffs, IA 51501 | 712-329-6000 | 689 slot machines, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, poker | Caesars Entertainment |
Prairie Meadows | 1 Prairie Meadows Dr, Altoona, IA 50009 | 515-967-1000 | Slots, blackjack, roulette, craps, mini bacc, Big Six Super Spin, poker | Polk County |
The Iowa Racing and Gaming Commission (IRGC) is the government agency that regulates gambling in the state, meaning it administers the laws and regulations regarding commercial casino operations.
Created by the Pari-Mutuel Wagering Act in May 1983, the IRGC has overseen all gambling in Iowa for the past four decades. The commission has “full jurisdiction over and shall supervise all race meetings, internet fantasy sports contests, and gambling operations” in the state.
Comparing Iowa’s Gambling Laws to Neighboring StatesIt’s fair to say that Minnesota and Wisconsin have stricter gambling laws than Iowa. Commercial casinos, online gambling, and sports betting are forbidden in these states, while WI also prohibits racetrack betting.
Although Missouri permits both commercial and tribal casinos, there are no tribal casinos in the Show-Me State. MO also prohibits pari-mutuel betting and online gambling, in addition to racetrack and sports betting.
However, Iowa’s other neighboring states – Illinois, Nebraska, and South Dakota – possess more lenient gambling laws. While online gambling is forbidden in Nebraska and South Dakota, nearly all forms of gambling are legal in Illinois.
The Future of Online Casinos in IowaIf recent gambling developments in the Hawkeye State are anything to go by, regulated online casinos in Iowa are on course to be legalized in the not-too-distant future.
The state is already home to multiple land-based casinos and sportsbooks, and online sports betting – including daily fantasy sports – is now fully legal. Therefore, many believe that Iowans should have access to state-regulated online casinos before too long.
Speaking in July 2023 at the National Council of Legislators from Gaming States conference in Denver, Rep. Jacob Bossman said:
“I expect it will make progress. It would be nice if we could get it passed next year, but I’m a little bit pessimistic.”
For now, Iowans have access to plenty of legit offshore casinos. Hopefully, IA residents will soon have access to state-regulated online casinos.
Although we endorse the best Iowa online gambling sites, we also pride ourselves on promoting responsible gambling. If you’re struggling with gambling addiction or need professional help, we strongly recommend making use of the resources below.
Iowa is one of the more lenient states when it comes to online gambling. They already have a state-sanctioned online sports betting market, so it’s likely that the online casino market isn’t far behind. Players in Iowa can play slots, blackjack, and other table games at most of the state’s land-based casinos, of which there are 23. But, if you’re looking for generous welcome bonuses or larger gaming libraries, you can check out an offshore Iowa casino site. Sites like Wild Casino and High Roller Casino are available to IA players, and are quite popular because of their larger welcome bonuses and massive gaming libraries.
Ben Morris is a sports and casino writer who started with Gambling Nerd in 2024. However, he has more than a decade of experience in the industry. He has a particular interest in European soccer, but also enjoys betting on tennis and playing online slot games. His work has appeared in Sportico and TheSportsGeek.